Airplane power plant arrangement



July 7, 1942. A. MAS 2,288,820

AIRPLANE POWER .PLAI T- ARRANGEMENT Filed D69. 12, 1940 '7 Sheets-Sheet; 1

INV'ENTOR Amfioruo Mad July 7, 1942. A. MAS

AIRPLANE POWER ELAN T ARRANGEMENT 7 Sfieets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 12, 1940 INYENTQR Antonao Md:

ATTO R N EY AIRPLANE rowan rumm- ARRANGEMENT Filed Dec. 12, 1940 TSheets- Sheet :5

1N\ ENT0R Antoruo Ma:

ATTORNEY July 7, 1942. MAS I 2,288,820-

AIRPLANE rowan rum ARRANGEMENT 7 Filed Dec. 12, 1940 '7 Sheets-Shekai 4 INV'ENTOR Antcruo Ma:

W ATTORNEY July 7, 1942. MAS 1 2,288,820

I AIRPLANE POWER PLANT ARRAIIGEMENT Filed Dec. 12. 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR 98 Anionic Mas BY 1 I a I T 5.55. ATTORNEY I July 7, 1942. Y A. MAS 2,288,820

AIRPLANE FQWEB PLANT ARRANGEMENT Filed Dec 12. 1940 '7 Sheets-Sheet a,

III] III 1 11 FIE-4U. 2 .55.41.

.INV'ENTOR Aniorzzo Maw I y ,1942. A. MAS 2,288,820

AIRPLANE POWER PLANT ARRANGEMENT 4 Filed Dec, 12, 1940 v Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR Anionic Md:

ATTORNEY Patented July 7, 1942 UNITED STATE PATENT OFFICE This invention relates to new and useful improvements in speed gearing for prime movers.

More specifically, the invention proposes a gear system or systems to be used in combination with the driven shaft or shafts of a prime mover or movers for stepping up the speed of a propeller or propellers connected with the gear system or systems.

More specifically, the invention contemplates numerous arrangements of step up gear systems which may be used in accordance with this invention.

Still further the invention proposes to so construct the speed gearing that it may be applied to air propellers, marine propellers and other similar devices;

Still further the invention proposes a novel arrangement for supporting the prime movers In the accompanying drawings forming a" material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of an airplane provided with prime movers constructed in accordance with this invention, certain parts thereof being broken away to disclose interior parts.

Fig. 21 is a horizontal enlarged sectional view of a portion of Fig. 1 showing particularly some of the details of the prime mover.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged elevational view looking in the direction of the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is anenlarged detailed view of of Fig." 4.

Fig. 5A is a perspective view of the wing'casing per se.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of an airplane provided with a speed up gearing prime mover device constructed according to another form of this invention.

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary enlarged horizontal a portion sectional view of a portion of Fig. 6 showing parmover with a speed step up gearing system con- 'line ll-llof Fig. 12.

Fig.- 15 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view of another speed gearing system constructed according to another form of this invention. Fig. 16 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line iii-l6 of Fig. 15. I

Fig. 17 is another fragmentary horizontal se'ctional view of a prime mover with a speed gearing system embodying another form of this invention.

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line l8-l8 of Fig. 17.

Fig. 19 is another fragmentary horizontal secv tional view of a prime mover with speed gearing constructed according to this invention.

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 20-20 of Fig. 19.

Fig. 21 is a plan view of an airplane with prime movers and speed gearing according to still another form' of this invention, portions of this figure being broken to disclose interior parts.

Fig. 22 is a horizontal sectional enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 21, showing details of the prime mover and speed gearing. I

Fig. 23 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 2323 of Fig. 22.

Fig. 24 is a plan view of an airplane provided with prime movers and speed gearing in accordance with still another form of this invention, a portion of this view being broken away to disclose interior parts. i

Fig. 25 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view of a prime mover with speed gearing con- :tructed according to another form of this inven- Fig. 26 is a horizontal sectional view of another prime mover with speed gearing according to another form of this invention.

Fig. 27 is a horizontal sectional view of still another prime mover with speed gearing arranged in accordance with another form of this invention.

Fig. 28 is a front elevational view of an airplane with prime movers embodying this invention.

29 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view on the line 29-29 of Fig. 28.

Fig. 30 is a fragmentary sectional view of a vessel with a prime mover and speed gearing in accordance with another form of this invention.

Fig. 31 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 3l-3l of Fig. 30.

Fig. 32 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 32-32 of Fig. 20.

Fig. 33 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a vessel with a prime mover and speed gearing in accordance with another form of this invention.

Fig. 34 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 34-34 of Fig. 33.

Fig. 35 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a vessel with a prime mover and speed gearing arranged in accordance with another form of the invention.

Fig. 36 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 36-36 of Fig. 35.

Fig. 37 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 36 but illustrating another arrangement.

Fig. 38 is a horizontal sectional view of another prime mover and speed gearing arranged in accordance with still another form of this: in-

vention. I

Fig. 39 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 39-39 of Fig. 38.

Fig. 40 is a. fragmentary elevational view of a prime mover and speed gearing arranged in accordance with still another form of this invention. v

Fig. 41 is a sectional view on the line 4l-4l of Fig. 40.

Fig. 42 is a fragmentary elevational view of a:

a prime mover and speed gearing arranged according to another form of this invention.

Fig. 43 is a sectional view taken on the line "mover and speed gearing arranged in accordance with still another form of this invention.

Fig. 48 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 48-48 of Fig. 47.

Fig. 49 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 48 but illustrating a modified arrangement.

Fig. 50 is a horizontal sectional view of a prime mover and speed gearing arranged in accordance with still another form of this invention.

1 Fig. 51 is a sectional view on the line 5l-5l of Fi 50.

In Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, one form of the invention has been disclosed in which a prime mover 52 has a driven shaft 5| to which the speed up gearing is associated. More particularly, the prime mover 52 has each end of" its shaft 5| provided with a large bevel gear 53 which meshes with a pair of pinions 54 disposed on diametrically opposite sides, These pinions 54 are mounted upon shafts 55 extending to the front and rear and provided with propellers 56.

Each prime mover 52 is mounted on the walls of a casing 51 .having an open top 51 and an open bottom 51'. 'The casing 51 is hingedly supported at one corner bya hinge construction 58. The prime mover 52 is mounted within and upon the walls of the casing 51 by suitable brackets 59.

Means is provided for moving the casing 51 on its hinge 58. This means .includes a gear 66 coaxially mounted with the hinge 58 and connected with the casing 51. This gear 66 is engaged by a chain 6| sprocket 62 rotatively supported and provided with a handle 63 by which it may be conveniently turned.

A support arm 64 is provided for each casing 51 and is mounted inthe vicinity thereof. Means is provided for moving each support arm 64 beneath the casing 51 along its path of pivoting. This means comprises a pintle pin 65 supporting one end of the arm 64. The pintle pin 65 is provided with a gear 66 engaged by a chain 61 which engages over a gear 68 provided with r a handle 69 by which it may be manually turned.

In the particular form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 5, the prime mover and speed gearing is shown applied to an airplane 10. This airplane has a fuselage H and-wings l2. wing is formed with an opening extended inwards from its front and rear edges, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. The casing 5'! is disposed within this opening. The prime mover, as previously explained, is disposed within the casing 51. The parts are so arranged that the propellers 56 are arranged to the front and to the rear of the front and rear edges of the wings. In Fig. 1 the full lines illustrate the normal position of the various parts. However, when it is desired to reach the prime movers, or the speed gearing for repairs, etc., it is possible to swing the entire casing 5! from its full line position to the dot and dash line position which is indicated by the reference numeral 51.

Normally, the support arms 64 are disposed within grooves I3 formed in the sides of the fuselage II. Before the casing 5! is swung outwards it is necessary that the support arm 64 be extended outwards to a position indicated by the dot and dash lines 64'. Each of the casings 51 is provided with a plurality of rollers '14 mounted along its bottom edges, which rollers are adapted to rest upon the support arm 64 during the pivoting of the casing. Each support arm 64 is provided with an enlarged head 64 on its free end. Each support arm 64 swings in a slot 15 formed in the wing 12, beneath the wing opening in which the casing 51 is set. The outer end of each slot 75 has an enlarged portion 16 behind which an expansion spring TI is mounted.

The arrangement is such that when the support arm 64 swings to its outermost position, indicated by the dot and dash lines 64' in Fig. 1, the head 64 will rest on the spring Tl. However, the

head 64 is much largerthan the enlarged opening 16 so that it cannot move out.

When the casing 51 is hinged to its open position the rollers 14 will run along the support arm 64 depressing the head end 64 slightly so that it extends downwards into the enlarged portion 16, which locks the arm 64 against accidental swinging inwards. The arm 64 is thus locked during the entire period that the casing 51 and its attached prime-mover is in an open position. The pintle 65 has a slight tolerance which permits the headed end 64 of the support arm which engages over a 1 Each 64- to engage the enlarged portion 16 of the slot 15.;

Withthe casing 51 in the open position 51'. the prime mover and speed gearing is accessible for repair or replacement. .returned to normal by first operating the handle 63 which-returns the casing 51 to its original position. After the casing 51 reaches its original position the rollers 14 ride of! the support arm 64 so that the spring 11 lifts the outer end of the support arm 64. Then the handle 69 may be operated to indirectly cause the support arm 64 to assume its inoperative position within the roove 13.

In Figs. 6 to 8 inclusive, another form of the invention has been disclosed. It is shown applied to an airplane 88. Each wing is provided with a prime mover 8I having driven shafts 82 extended from opposite corners. These driven shafts are provided with propellers 83.

More specifically, the prime mover 8| has the The parts may be shafts 82 arranged parallel to each other along the sides thereof. Each shaft 82 is provided with a pair of spaced gears 84 which mesh with large gears 85 mounted on the main shaft 86 of the prime mover.

In' Figs. 9 to 11 another modified arrangement of speed gearing is shown in which the prime mover 81 is provided with a main shaft 88 having internal gears 89 mounted on its ends.

These internal gears 89 are each engaged by a pair of gears 98 mounted on parallel shafts 9I which are rotatively supported. The. shafts 9| are provided with gears 92 meshing with a pinion 93 on a propeller shaft 94 provided with a 1 propeller 95. The propeller shaft 94 has a bearing 96 mounted coaxially on the internal gear 89.

In Figs. 12 and 13 a prime mover 981s illustrated with a pair of main shafts 99' provided with gears I88 meshingwith a pinion IN on a propeller shaft I82 which extends completely through the prime mover. This propeller shaft I82 is provided with a gear I83 on each end housing us. It is provided with a gear us meshing with pinions II1 on shafts II8 provided with propellers H9. The gear H8 is provided with a shaft I28 having a propeller I2I. The shafts I I8 are provided with gears I22 meshing with pinions I23 on shafts I24 provided with propellers I25. Preferably, the various propellers comprise marine propellers for driving the vessel II8.

In Figs. 17 and 18 a prime mover I26 is provided with a main shaft I21 having gears I28 meshing with pinions I29 upon groups of parallel shafts I38. These shafts I38 are provided with gears I3I meshing with pinions I32 on .shafts I33 provided with propellers I34. The shafts I33 have bearings I35 mounted coaxially of the gears I28.

In Figs. 19 and 20 a prime mover I36 is illus-' trated with a main shaft I31 provided at its ends with gears I38 which mesh with pinions I39 on auxiliary shafts I48 provided with propellers I.

In Figs. 21 I023 a prime mover I42 is provided with a main shaft I43 having internal gears I44 upon its ends. These internal gears mesh with pinions I45 on rotatively supported shafts I46 provided with pro ellers I41. In Fig. 21 an airplane I48 is illustrated provided with the prime movers and propellers shown in Figs. 22 and 23.

In Fig. 24 an airplane I49 of a slightly different design than the airplane I 48 is shown provided with similar prime movers and propellers as that shown in Fig. 21.

In Fig. 25 a prime mover I58 is shown with a main shaft I5I having internal gears I52 mounted upon its ends. These gears I52 mesh with pinions I53 on rotatively supported shafts I54 provided with internal gears I55 meshing with pinions I56 on rotatively supported shafts I51 provided with propellers I58.

Fig.26 shows a prime mover I59 with a main shaft I68 provided with a pair of gears I8I and I62 meshing with gears I63 and I64 on a rotatively supported shaft I65. The gears I82 and I6I are mounted on a rotative shaft I66 provided with a propeller I61.

In Fig. 27 a prime mover IE8 is shown provided with a shaft I69 having bevel gears I18 on its ends meshing with pinions IN on rotatively mounted shafts I12 provided with propellers I13.

InFigs. 28 and 29 an airplane I14 is shown provided with the prime movers I68, the gear system and the propellers I63.

In Figs. 30 to 32 a vessel I88 is shown provided with a prime mover I8I having a shaft with an internal gear I82 meshing with a pinion I83 on a rotative shaft I84 provided with a propeller I85. This shaft I84 is provided with a large gear I86. Several small gears I81 mesh with this large gear and are located on shafts I88 provided with propellers I89.

In Figs. 33 and 34' a vessel I98 is illustrated with a prime mover I9I having an internal gear I92 meshing with a pinion I93 on a rotative shaft I94 carrying a combination internal and external gear I95. Pinions I96 mesh with this combination gear and are mounted on shafts I91 provided with propellers I98.

In Figs. 35 and 36 a vessel 288 is illustrated v with a prime mover 28I having an internal gear 282 meshing with a pinion 283 on a shaft 284 provided with a gear 285 meshing with a pinion 286 on a rotative shaft 281 provided with a gearing 288-meshing with a pinion289 upon a shaft 2I8 rotatively supported and provided with a gear 2.

A plurality of small gears 2I2 mesh with the gear 2I I and are on shafts 2I3 rotatively supported and provided with propellers 2.

In Fig. 37- a modified arrangement is shown in which the gear 2 meshes with a plurality of pinions2I2 on shafts 2l3 arranged at difv ferent locations to the corresponding shafts of Fig. 36. r

In Figs. 38 and 39 a prime mover 2I5 is shown with parallel main shafts 2 I6 provided with gears I on a shaft providedwith an internal gear 221 meshing with a pinion 228 on a propeller shaft In Figs. 44 and 45 a vessel 236 is shown with a prime mover 231 provided with a shaft 238 having a flywheel 239. The shaft 238 is rotatively supported and provided with a latch gear 240. The shaft 238 has a propeller 24L Pinions 242 mesh with the gear 240 and are on rotative shafts 243 provided with propellers 244.

In Fig. 46 a vessel 245 is provided with a prime mover 246 having a gear 241 meshing with a pinion 248 on a rotative shaft provided with a' gear 249 meshing with a pinion 250 on a propeller shaft 25I having a propeller 252.

In Figs. 47 and 48 a prime mover 253 is provided with a pair of parallel shafts 254 having gears 255 meshing with gears 256 on rotative shafts 251 provided with propellers 258.

In Fig. 49 a modified arrangement is shown in which the gear 256 has internal and external teeth and the propeller shaft 251 meshes with the internal teeth while the gears 255 mesh with the external teeth.

In Figs. 50 and 51 a vessel 260 is shown provided with a prime mover 26] having a shaft 262 provided with internal gears 263 meshing with gears 264 on propeller shafts 265 rotatively supported and provided with propellers 266.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the class described, a casing having an open top and hingedly supported at one corner, a prime mover mounted within and upon the walls of said casing, means for moving said casing on its hinge, a support arm movably mounted in the vicinity of said casing, and means for moving said support arm beneath said casing along the path of its pivoting.

2. In a 'device of the class described, a casing having an open top and hingedly supported at one comer, a prime mover mounted within and bottom with a prime mover mounted between the walls thereof, means for pivotally supporting said casing at one corner to be swingable rearwards of said wing.

out of said wing to expose said prime mover through its open top and bottom, a retractable support arm extending along the path of pivoting of said casing for supporting the free end thereof when swinging outwards, a sprocket wheel attached to said casing and arranged concentric with the pivot point of said casing, a. manually rotative sprocket wheel mounted within said airplane, and a chain engaged over said sprocket wheels, whereby said manually rotative sprocket wheel may be turned to similarly rotate said first sprocket wheel to pivot said casing out ANTONIO MAS. 

